The Ecuadorian team is already concentrated in Paraguay for the fundamental confrontation of the tie in Ciudad del Este

With Byron Castillo at the head of the advanced group of seven players formed by coach Gustavo Alfaro to go from Quito to Asunción, the Ecuadorian team arrived in the Paraguayan capital at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, for the South American qualifying match for the World Cup in Qatar against Albirroja, next Thursday, March 24.

The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) communicated through its social channels that after five hours of flight, the aircraft that transported the tricolor delegation landed at 7:00 p.m. (Ecuadorian time) at the Silvio Petirossi airport in the Paraguayan capital. .

Alfaro’s players, who have gathered since last Friday at the National Team, traveled to Asunción today, where they will meet with all those called up for next Thursday’s game against Paraguay and on March 29 against Argentina, in Guayaquil.

Moisés Ramírez, Jeremy Sarmiento, Moisés Caicedo, Byron Castillo, Michael Carcelén, Danny Cabezas and Michael Estrada left from the capital, along with the coaching staff commanded by Alfaro.

Goalkeeper Jorge Pinos played the match with 9 de Octubre against Gualaceo on Sunday, so he planned to travel to Paraguay yesterday, as did Joao Rojas, from Emelec, who was due to play on Sunday night with Emelec against Delfín, but this commitment was postponed for this Monday (12:00) due to the heavy rain that fell in the center and south of Guayaquil.

The president of the FEF, Francisco Egas, also joined the expedition to Asunción.

Other soccer players summoned, such as Gonzalo Plata, Pervis Estupiñán, Djorkaeff Reasco, were scheduled to arrive yesterday in Guarani land. The first two from Spain and the last from Argentina.

Ecuador occupies third place in the South American qualifier with 25 points, so they will hope to confirm their classification in the same position or in fourth place in the last two dates.

For the matches against Paraguay, in Ciudad del Este, and Argentina, in Guayaquil, Alfaro will miss goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez, due to suspension and injury.

The meeting of the Tricolor with the Albirroja will take place at 18:30 this Thursday at the Antonio Aranda stadium in Ciudad del Este, 330 km east of Asunción.

While on Tuesday the 29th he will receive the Albiceleste at 6:30 p.m. at the Monumental Banco Pichincha stadium, on the 18th, which will mark the closing of the South American pre-world championship. (D)